Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-02
Thirty Years of PROGRESS.

OF the condition OF these countries a.
compared with what appeared to De
their condition more than thirty years
ago is one Of progress and improve
ment. This is the most manifest and
the most astonishing in Italy. The
despot's heel was on the brow of that
lovely peninsula at my former visit in
every one OF her provinces. Tho edu-
cation OF the common people was
almost utterly neglected. Newspapers
We're few. embarrassing, and subjected
to rigid censorship. The Oldest docu-
ments of the Christian Church were
often taken from travellers at tho GUS
tom houses and contiscated as contra
band. I saw the officials at Civita
Vecchia rob a young Philadelphia of
the Bible his mother had given him.
The people were oppressed with a
sense of wrong and hopeless of better
things There was little activity in
trade, manufacturers, or commerce.
The very reverse is now true in all these
particulars. Italy is filled wish new life
and new hope. No other nation has more
fully accepted the best ideas of the civ
ilization OF the nineteenth century, and
although the>people, especially in the
South. We're sunk so deep in degrade
ton that much remains to be done for
their enlightenment, they are making
rapid strides forward. There is no
danger Of reaction. The people are
amused at the attempt to manufacture
public sentiment by correspondents of
foreign papers, who represent them as
willing to part with some portion of
their liberty. King Humbert has no
desire to meet the fate of Emperor
Macmillan. He knows that the nine~
teenth century is the nineteenth CEN
fury.
France, too, has gained by freedom.
The national character has gained in
dignity and self-control. There are
symptoms of the old maladies among
the excitable populace of Paris and
there may be dangers ahead; but it is
becoming more and more evident that
ever since the great revolution repub-
icanism is the only form of govern
ment which is legitimate in France.
The restoration of any dynasty, if
brought about, will only mean it's ex-
pulsion ten years afterward. The gov
eminent OF the people is the only gov
eminent which can possibly be perma-
nent among such people as the French,
even if temporary defeats still await it.
In Germany the increase in material
prosperity is the most striking feature.
Next to that is the increase in national
self-respect and the ex11ltation in the
achievement of national unity. In the
southern provinces there is also great
advance in freedom Of thought. Give
Germany thirty years of peace more
liberal principles will prevail in her
government. AT present the enthusi-
asm for the Emperor and for the ablesti
statesman whom the nineteenth century
has produced makes semi-absolutisns
acqniesced in.
One of the most striking things in
England is the improvement of the
common people in intelligence and
education. England has now one of
the best systems of popular education
in the world, thanks to William Edward
Forster and his coadjutors. The large
number and the cheapness of the news
papers and the ability with which the
provincial press is conducted, shows
striking change. The great growth of
London and of the larger towns in
general excites ones wonder. England
shows no signs of decrepitude. There
are gigantic evils still to be eradicated,
but they are less than they were in the
former generation.-Ercha7ege.
Brave aud True.
Bruno, one Of Napoleon's marshals,
was made q soldier by the sheer of a
witty actress. He had written q
pamphlet on military operations. and
one day ct Danton's dinner table it was
mentioned, and the actress said mock
ingly to him: "You will be a General
some day. since you fight with PEN"
Stung to the quick, he applied for a
commission and entered the army as q
Major. The witty actress, having
wagged her pert tongue at Robespierre,
was sent to the guillotoine
In the army Bruno showed that will
ness. In his first battles he suffered
fortunes from the sight of blood and
the noise of cannonading.
Every discharge Of a tield-piece gave
him such shock i'll the pit of the
stomach that he would have been bent
double with pain, hut for his will.
which gave him the power to stitfen his
legs in the stirrups and throw his body
back. When the battle was over his
muscles remained paralyzed for hours
on account OF the tension to which they
had been subjected. He had quick
temper, which he mastered after many
trials. While Governor of the Hanse,
towns, he gave certain orders, which
We're not obeyed by the burgomaster OF
Hamburg. The official sought the
marshal and began a long explanation
Now and then Bruno, without saying %
word, poured himself out glass Of
water and drank it.
At last, the burgomaster, pausing,
stretched out his hand for the decan-
ter and said, "Will you allow me?"
"Hcld!" exclaimed Bruno, 1--WE had
better ring for fresh supply. L
always pour down water when L feel a
fire rising which might exploded"
Bruno was massacred by .Royalist
mob, after Waterloo.
"Shout Live the King!" said the
mob. He refused.
"Shont, Down with the Emperor"
called out the mob.
"Ihe Emperor is low enough now;
this is not the time when L can say
ancht against him." was the spirited